Monthly Archives 30/09/2011

It’s been more than three years since Iceland’s Sigur Ros released their last studio album, ‘Með suð í eyrum við spilum endalaust’ (good luck pronouncing that!) So it’s only fitting (and financially savvy) to make a comeback that reminds fans of their back catalogue.

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The live concert film and album ‘Inni‘ aims to do just that when it’s released on November 7 ( North America on November 8). The footage was shot at London’s Alexandra Palace in 2008 before their hiatus. But it won’t be all Sigur Ros classics, an unreleased tune called ‘Lúppulagid’ will be unveiled (albeit as part of the credits).

‘Inni’ will be released as a special edition to give fans a very slick Sigur Ros package complete with an “artefact from the show itself”. Initially I was confused as to what an ‘artefact’ could mean… concert aftermath isn’t usually pretty. But this week Sigur Ros confirmed that the artefact is actually a piece of a band member’s clothing that has “been painstakingly pressed (but not washed) and then cut into neat squares which have then been put into individually numbered envelopes.”

The cynic in me thinks its a shame that a band with such musical depth and world renown would enter shallow marketing waters to sell a special edition. Do we really covet cloth touched by rock gods!? But then, the realist pops out and I figure… if it takes these lengths to sell physical copies these days then so be it.

Having said that, if you’re reading this, then you were probably going to slap down the $79 regardless! So will I. If ‘Inni’ gets close to the experience of Sigur Ros’ 2007 film ‘Heima’ it will be an achievement. In the least ‘Inni’ will immortalize the magic of Sigur Ros’ live shows.

Minks are back! After re-living Minks’ album ‘By The Hedge‘ recently we’re blessed with new music in the form of the ‘Araby’ single via Captured Tracks. ‘Araby’ will be officially released on October 11 as they ready another full length for 2012.

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‘Araby’ isn’t a step into the unknown for the Brooklyn duo, the jangly guitar lines are back, boosted by an early Cure sounding bass line and an 80s synth. Vocals duties fall squarely on Minks frontman Sean Kilfoyle though I would’ve liked to hear Amalie on the backup vocals. Minks continue to produce solid indie pop alongside their label mates Wild Nothing, Widowspeak and Beach Fossils.

Gauntlet Hair’s ‘Keep Time’ sounds like crunchy indie pop recorded in an echo chamber. There’s a deep sea of reverb over the whole mix, giving the guitars and drums plenty of space to fly about. ‘Keep Time’ is the latest single made public from their debut self-titled album, available on October 18 (a day earlier in the UK ). Pre-orders of the CD or vinyl made from Dead Oceans will get access to a digital download of the album from October 1.

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Denver school buddies Craig and Andy are Gauntlet Hair’s founders and are joined by touring musos Doran Robischon and Matthew Daniels for their October dates. Gauntlet Hair’s tour takes them to some big venues including Shea Stadium, followed by a string of shows with Unknown Mortal Orchestra. Whilst it’s too early to make a call on these guys, early impressions sound promising. Shame about that band name, or is it just me? Gauntlet Hair…inside joke perhaps?

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Fallen Parrot – ‘Make Believe’
Fresh from Portland comes Fallen Parrot. This is a really pretty tune, pairing raw folk styled vocals with spontaneous noisy rock outbursts! In the next few week’s Fallen Parrot’s new EP ‘Fossil’ will be released for free here! Setting reminder now…

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RAH RAH – ‘Parkade’
Canada’s RAH RAH are set to release their new album ‘Breaking Hearts’ via Hidden Pony Records on November 14. You may have heard this single a while back but now you can download it free here.

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Swoon! Gem Club‘s new record ‘Breakers’ was released yesterday and I’m in love. Over the past few month’s ‘Breakers‘ and ‘Twins‘ have been revealed in all their captivating glory, now they’re backed up with seven more quality creations.

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Gem Club‘s latest is full of space; notes pause, vocals linger, there’s heaps of breathing room to step inside of as a listener. Without wanting to sound completely trite, there’s a silence to the album and an overall calm feeling on ‘Breakers’. It would be too easy to put Gem Club in the slow and depressing basket, but I don’t think that’s accurate.

Songs like ‘Black Ships’ demand you stop and sink into it. I conceed its not friday night music. Especially with lyrics like “I can’t feel my hands anymore” sung with chill. But there’s more reflection going on throughout ‘Breakers’ than tears. It’s not a pop album and doesn’t pretend to be.

Hats off to the Gem Club duo (Christoper Barnes and Kristen Drymala) for creating so much with just a piano, violin and one hell of an amazing voice!

Bedroom producer Trevor Powers aka Youth Lagoon releases his debut album ‘The Year Of Hibernation‘ today. After crafting haunting songs like ‘July’ and ‘Montana’ it was a surprise to hear the album cut ‘Afternoon’ which is far more playful. The child-like whistled melody caught me out, especially against the dancey bass drum. Take a listen to Youth Lagoon’s latest below…

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Other new releases…

Since there’s a large amount of music being released today, here’s a reminder of what you can blow your dollar on (in no particular order)…

Pick up Youth Lagoon’s ‘The Year Of Hibernation’ from Fat Possum or visit Youth Lagoon @ Bandcamp for a few freebies!

Atmospheric shoegaze duo Tamaryn have announced they’re currently working on a follow up to 2010’s ‘Waves’. If you missed Tamaryn’s track ‘Sandstone’ then I recommend a listen. ‘Waves’ was full of sonic mangling, with overblown guitars against Tamaryn’s husky vocals. Whereas ‘Love Fade’ demonstrates a sedate side, it’s more dreamlike than an aural assault.

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If you’re lucky enough to be in California next month, Tamaryn are playing a short run of dates…